Aed Findliath

Aed Findliath (831-879) was King of Ailech and High King of Ireland from 862 to 879, succeeding Mael Sechnaill mac Maele Ruanaid and preceding Flann Sinna.

Biography
Aed Findliath was born in 831, the son of Niall Caille. In the struggles between the northern and southern branches of the O'Neill family following the death of Aed Allan, Aed fought against King Mael Sechnaill mac Maele Ruanaid, who conquered Ossory in 859. In 860, he fought Mael Sechnaill to a draw, and he sought the support of the Vikings of Dublin against his rival. In 862, Mael Sechnaill died, and Aed Findliath became High King of Ireland. However, Aed had to turn against Dublin when it attacked his ally of Brega, and he had the King of Mide, Lorcan mac Cathail, blinded after his defeat. Aed went on to defeat the Vikings at Lough Foyle in 866 and hs former ally Flann of Brega at Cell Ua nDaigri in 868, defeating the southern O'Neill and Leinster. In 868 and 874, he invaded Leinster. He died in 879.